Sanna Marin to become next Prime Minister

The council of Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue (Social Democratic Party of Finland-SDP), the major component of the five-party alliance government on Sunday elected Sanna Marin as its candidate for the post of Prime Minister.

Marin, a 34- year old leader of the party presently the Minister of Transport and Communications, defeated Antti Lindtman, chairman of the SDP Parliamentary Group by 32 votes to 29 to become the youngest Prime Minister of the country.

Esko Aho who became prime minister in 1990 at the age of 36 was the youngest Prime Minister of the country.

The election for the position of SDP council was held in the evening and the result was announced in a nationally-televised broadcast.

The party elected the new Prime Minister following the resignation of the outgoing Prime Minister Antti Rinne on December 3.

Rinne had to resign as one of the components the Suomen Keskusta (Centre Party of Finland) withdrew its backing for Rinne following the recent massive postal strike across the country.

Meanwhile, the five allies met on Sunday and pledged adherence to the program of the outgoing cabinet.

The components of the five-party coalition were Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue (Social Democratic Party of Finland-SDP), Suomen Keskusta (Centre Party of Finland), Vihreäliitto (Green League), Vasemmistoliitto (Left Alliance) and Suomenruotsalainenkansanpuolue (Swedish People's Party of Finland-RKP).

Marin after being elected for the Prime Minister in a statement called for party unity.

The formalities of the government change will continue on Monday and President Sauli Niinistö is expected to appoint the new government on Tuesday.

Marin, also SDP deputy chair, who led the party in absence of Rinne when he was on sick leave, has been country´s Minister of Transport and Communications since June of 2019.

A lawmaker Marin became nationally known though municipality elections in Tampere. She was the chairperson of the City Council of Tampere from 2013 to 2017.

She obtained Masters degree in Administrative Sciences from University of Tampere.